Business Directories

Ducab steps up sustainability drives

Abu Dhabi, January 17, 2013

Ducab, a leading manufacturer of high-quality power cables in the Middle East, has taken up a number of initiatives that put the issue of preserving the environment at the top of its priorities, a top official said.

“Ducab's sustainability programmes are based on three major ideas: rationalisation and reduction of waste, reduction of carbon footprints, and the policy of industrialisation especially with regard to the purchase of equipment and raw materials, said Colin McKay, GM Marketing and Sales, Ducab, on the sideline of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2013, being held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from January 15-17.

“In terms of rationalisation and reduction of waste, Ducab follows the strategies of reducing wastage at all stages of manufacturing, in terms of time, consumption, spacing, energy used. In order to achieve this, Ducab has adopted mechanisms, such as Breakthrough Improvement, Continual Improvement, and Innovation,” he added.

As part of its efforts to preserve the environment, Ducab has opened a factory for recycling scrap copper from the daily operations of its copper factories, allowing it to recycle up to 100 per cent of the copper scrap produced by its factories in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Ducab also imposes procedures and strict measures for the treatment and refining of sewage through the establishment of dedicated stations. It refines up to 100 per cent of those wastewaters and reuses them for irrigation purposes. The water used in the cooling tower of copper is refined as well, since the ring design used for water cables reduces losses.

In its Jebel Ali plants, Ducab utilises the new sanitation facilities without water. It has plans to circulate them to all its headquarters and premises, where this new technology will provide nearly one million gallons annually, which is equivalent to Dh52,000 ($14,153) a year, McKay said.

During the current year, Ducab also plans to use effective hydrants and ventilators to reduce usage of water. The rate of water usage reduction at the sanitations is expected to be 30 per cent.

The company has launched a campaign to save energy by using motion sensors and a technology that reduces energy consumption for each of the tonne of construction units. The campaign helped in changing the behaviour of workers to save energy by switching off lights and appliances when not in use.

Additionally, Ducab has developed in collaboration with a European major company, a special industrial lighting that provide the same level of lighting with less energy consumption.

McKay said that Ducab is keen in conducting comparisons between its plans and mechanisms, and international norms and standards in the field of sustainability.

Regarding cut in carbon footprints, Ducab strives to use the materials that conform to international standards (REACH) and uses environmentally-friendly materials especially with respect to lead. Ducab is the first company in the Gulf region that began the use of insulating materials matching the world class standards.

The company, while produces unleaded plastic to avoid health risks, has also started the recycling of waste plastics.

McKay added: “In the framework of its manufacturing policy, Ducab is keen to acquire the latest manufacturing equipment and machinery to reduce consumption and emissions.”

As Ducab is committed to follow and raise awareness on sustainable development, it produces high-quality electrical wires, used in electrical wiring in buildings. These wires minimise the energy consumption, which allows the user and authorities to bring the power expenses down.

Ducab also works with strategic partners from both public and private sectors, to support and preserve the environment, which is part of a joint initiative, launched with the International Copper Association to reduce use of energy and is also associated with a nuclear power project.

Ducab takes part in most campaigns launched by ministries and government departments and authorities in the UAE seeking to protect and preserve the environment, such as ‘Clean Up The World’ campaign, in co-operation with Dubai Municipality, besides other campaigns. – TradeArabia News Service